Offie Krezja can be Oz’’s star spinner for next decade, says ex-player

Melbourne, Nov.17 (ANI): Australian of-spinner Jason Krezja has the potential to play for his country for the next decade, provided he measures up to expectations and keeps his private life in order, believes former Australian off-spinner Colin Miller. Miller, who took 69 wickets at 26 in 18 Tests, was quoted by the Courier Mail as saying: “I can see him playing for the next 10 years if he can keep his life in order and handle all the expectations.” “I saw Jason bowl a few years ago playing for the NSW second XI and I rated him then because he gave the ball a rip. I thought he should have played all the Tests in India. I am not sure whether he will play in Brisbane but he can certainly play in the other states. He turns it. He outbowled Harbhajan Singh in the last Test, Miller added. “He is tall. He comes over the ball and gets topspin and loop, and he can bat. If he is given the opportunity I think he can be Australia’’s next long-term off-spinner, as long as he is handled well. It is always hard for finger spinners. Leg-spinners use their wrists and generally get more turn,” Miller said. “His challenge would be to learn how to defend. The big thing for Krezja now is to adjust to wickets that don”t turn. Most wickets don”t turn in Australia until day three or four. He is going to have to work hard to become a containing bowler. As a slow off-spinner, you have to be able to defend as well as attack,” Miller added. Australia’’s selectors are yet to reveal whether they have 50-over plans for Krezja but if they do he will face the tough challenge of retaining his natural loop in a form of the game that encourages bowlers to dart the ball in flat. (ANI)